The Stars and Us [ by Midnight-Drawz ]

Chapter Four: Apology Letter

[ January 3rd, 2021 ]

" Dear Everyone,

If you're reading this, then it means that it actually happened as I thought it would. I'm sorry I couldn't tell anyone sooner... I didn't want to place anymore worries on anyone..."

Ink breathed a small sigh as he wrote, looking up into OuterTale's beautiful stars for a moment before he continued...

" ...To give you an explanation, I want to first point out how I got this... illness. It's been bugging me for what seemed to be years, and though I forgot about it at first, thinking it was just a normal cold, it proceeded to get worse... and it didn't end.

I have been hiding this as long as I possibly can, and I know you all must be angry with me for doing so, but hear me out.

If I'm in/was in a coma, contact Sci. Tell him about my condition...."

The artist ignored the hot tears streaming his face as he continued writing the letter...

" ...And if I dusted because of it... I'm sorry, my friends... I hope you all learn to live without me...

I was preparing myself for any outcome- death, life, memory loss, etcetera... Whatever it was I was prepared, and I'm ashamed to admit that that preparation happened in secret...

So no matter the result, I'm sorry, my friends...

I'm sorry for failing you- as a friend, as a guardian...as a guide..."

Ink ignored the small sob, trying to keep his writing neat despite the shakiness of his hand...

" As a final request for this note, I've left specific letters for each of you in our spots.

Your loyal friend,

Ink. "

One. Two. Three.... Error lost count of the tears that came from his eyes... He looked up and around, examining the DoodleSphere and remembering where his and Ink's spot was- but first, he had to get this letter to Dream and the others... he had to make sure they got the message...

The glitch wiped his eyes, hiccuping quietly and carefully folding the letter again, slipping it into the envelope before putting the sash over his shoulder, heading out and back into the hospital to get the letter to Dream and hopefully Blue, too.

Error knew the prince would insist on him finally getting rest now that Ink was awake, but he just couldn't.... especially after reading this.

Ink thought he'd failed- when it was honestly the other way around.

Error had failed.

Failed at protecting the one friend he had.

...and when he finally got Dream and Blue to read the letter, they both started to tear up by the end of it.

They knew they had failed, too. Dream and Blue thanked Error, and Blue silently took the letter to find other friends of Ink's. The artist himself was silently passing time in his hospital room drawing- since Dream had brought in some art supplies for him while he recovered.

Error glitched as he waited for Blue to return. When he did, he lagged a bit while apologizing to the duo softly- though they seemed confused.

" He was the one person who persisted in making me into his friend..."

Error explained,

" And I was too blind to see when he needed me to help.. so, I'm... sorry..."

Dream and Blue exchanged looks,

" He...meant a lot to you, didn't he, Error...?"

Dream spoke, his tone soft.